Although the story could always end on a positive note. However, when we’re talking about Google updates, there is no optimistic closure to it. Unless you actually won big in this update.
And quite frankly, it’s not Google’s fault.
After all, it does have some big shoes to fill and the whole world to impress.
What is all this chaos around Google's December 2020 core update?
So, Google came forth with a new broad core algorithm update, which as per several SEO webmasters, had a SERP volatility factor of 9.4, similar to May 2020 one, but a little more than the January 2020 update.
However, for better or worse, Google crawls through webpages, reads the content, and ranks it based on the latest quality standards. All of Google’s updates aim at improving a user’s query experience. For most of the websites, this Google core algorithm update isn’t as noticeable and identifiable as its predecessors. However, working behind the scenes is what makes your website immune to all the current or forthcoming updates.
But sometimes, Google releases a broad update that keeps webmasters and site owners scratching their heads to regain their dominance on SERPs.
While there is no such magic pencil that can fix things up for you, there are some steps that you can take to ensure you recover soon and well.
So, let’s dig in!
Content is King in every Google update:
No matter how many updates come and go, one thing stays imprinted into each one of them. And that is the importance of quality content, even in this Google December 2020 Core update.
Google always prizes original, authentic, and relatable content. Its search algorithm places top content at rank one on the SERP. That is why you need to invest in thoroughly researched, well-edited, and unbiased content to make sure you publish the right pieces online.
As far as websites are concerned, there is nothing more enriching than a relationship built between a brand and its customers. And content is that string you use to construct that relationship.
Content guidelines, designed by Google, offer a comprehensive analysis and understanding of its role in building a website's reputation. Also, content that includes insightful information and adds value to a reader’s knowledge pallet is something that Google rewards in every update.
Some questions you can ask before publishing it includes:
- Does the page have an intriguing title and description?
- Does the title match with the content of the article?
- Does the page include images from other sources without giving them credits?
- Is your page of such nature that people who share it with a friend or a colleague?
- Do you include details about a topic that is new and talk a fresh perspective?
- Do you publish quality and original content?
If you can answer such questions confidently, you are good to go.
Include content that talks about trust signals:
One of the biggest obstacles faced by brands is to let out a good-word about their services. Such hurdles detail the clutter of brands online, leading to cut-throat competition. If you want your overall strategy to reward you with traffic, sales, and revenue, then incorporating trust signals into your websites is the key.
So, what can you do to spark trust in the eyes of your customers?
Adding awards and accolades, recognition, certifications, endorsements, press releases, and other information to your websites will help establish an upright connection with the customers.
And why should you add such trust signals?
Because it helps build the credibility of your website and adds value to the time people spend reading your articles or blogs.
And the most important reason, it makes visitors feel that your business is doing well enough to launch its grenade in the market.
And, practicing such aspects can help you recover fast enough from the December 2020 core update.
Backlinks matter today, tomorrow, and forever:
When it comes to believability and reputation, Google treats backlinks very crucially.
When a website backlink to your webpage or services, it shows the trust of other business places in your site. And, this is the most prized aspect of a website for Google. A website linking to your site is because you share some quality content that is worth being backlinked.
When you publish good content, your site will receive more backlinks, even quality ones. These links work as a trust signal for your website. And this makes Google believe in your content, improving its relevancy and trustworthiness for the audience.
So, assess all the sites that backlink to your website, get more high DA backlinks, judge its relatability with your business, and build your rapport in the online world.
Focus on the EAT guidelines:
Expertise. Authorization. Trustworthiness.
These are the building blocks of Search Engine Optimization, and you ought to never forget them. These singular aspects define the performance of a website and its interactive quotient with the customer pool. Quite truly., EAT is not the only thing affecting your site’s visibility on SERPs, but it is for sure a contributor.
Numerous SEO webmasters swear by the power vested in the EAT guidelines and why businesses must follow them. As per Google, it is one factor that determines your page’s quality and rating.
So, what exactly do EAT guidelines mean?
Breaking down the acronym below for better understanding.
Expertise:
It refers to the creator of the content on your homepage.
Are you an expert in your services?
Do you have credentials to prove your accomplishments?
Do you have the necessary information to back up all your credentials, certifications, and reviews?
For example, somebody who regularly writes about the cloud and its related services., they are an expert in that domain. And Google recognizes that expertise.
Now obviously, if you are a restaurant reviewer and you suddenly start writing about the cloud, Google finds it’s a little out of the path and doesn’t rank your website high on SERP.
All in all, the type of content you publish should align with your overall website topics.
Authoritativeness:
It defines the authority of a website to publish content on a particular topic. A website should hold the right to publish content about a topic and serve as an authentic and original information source.
Authoritativeness mostly defines your worth in the industry through the content you publish. For suppose, if a website publishes 100% original and quality content, Google recognizes its authority at the highest level. And, a website copying content from other sites, Google builds its reputation as not being trustworthy.
All in all, the more original content you publish, the better will be the trust of Google’s algorithms in your website, and the higher will be your rank on SERP.
Trustworthiness:
As a trustworthy website, Google crowns you as an expert in that domain, providing people honest and accurate information, which they can rely upon.
Simply put, it is the connection you share with Google’s algorithms. For websites that publish real information at all times are treated differently than the others. More importantly, the more reliable your erudition is, the higher is your rank on SERP.
Evaluate for local intent in SERP:
You need to keep an eye on the changing keywords intent in response to a search query. You need to check whether or not the keywords used previously are generic or local in their purpose.
For example, if you search for computer repair shops, you see results like map pack, city names, and localized page ranking. If your website isn’t on those results, then that is a strong indication that you will need a strategy to appear in such queries.
Local SEO is a necessary practice for websites selling services and products directly to consumers. Various users use search queries to look out for businesses, and if your website makes an appearance there, it increases your chances of concluding a sale. So, strategize your tactics for local SEO.
Conclusion
Google’s updates are an inevitable reality for website owners and the SEO community. And, there is no way you can neglect them. So, instead of worrying about the Google December 2020 Core Update, you need to start implementing tactics that make those updates rewarding enough for you. As a business, there is so much you can do to make some noise in the online space, and hopefully, these tips might also come in handy for you.
